It's Snow Day Monday! What Are You Reading? 2-13-17

Thanks to our dynamic hosts: Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle at Unleashing Readers. Head to either blog to find reviews as well as dozens of links to other blogs filled with reviews and recommendations!

The view outside is
white,
white,
snowy white.

I'm feeling incredibly grateful that my family is able to stay home, stay warm, and stay fed. I'm also feeling grateful for nap time, since without that snippet of a break, there would likely be no post today! So here goes a quick run through of my recent readings:

Books I've Recently Read:

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Atheneum, 2016

Realistic Fiction

181 pages

Recommended for grades 6+

Certainly pulls on the heartstrings, while also posing the question, are we doing enough for the kids in our lives? A healthy reminder to slow down and nurture the whole child, not just the student we are tasked with teaching. 

Loved it.

Little Cat's Luck by Marion Dane Bauer

Simon & Schuster, 2016

Poetic Narrative

240 pages

Recommended for grades 2-5

Remember that sweet novel in verse a few years back, Little Dog, Lost? This is the companion to that story, though stands 100% alone. I adore Little Dog, Lost and have even read it aloud to a couple groups of students. The stories are wonderfully different. There is no shying away from emotion in this short story, and in fact would be wonderful to read aloud and discuss with young readers.

Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Animal Infographics by Steve Jenkins

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016

Nonfiction

48 pages

Recommended for grades 2+

So cool! The visuals are surprising in their values as statistics are compared in graphs and other images. And of course Jenkins is a master of cut paper illustrations! I kept taking breaks to turn to my husband to ask him if he knew this, or that! And of course I couldn't wait to bring it to school!

Matylda, Bright & Tender by Holly M. McGhee

Candlewick Press, 2017

Realistic Fiction

224 pages

Recommended for grades 3-5

Oh geeze, where to begin. Tissues, have your tissues handy. I've spent a lot of time just staring at the simple cover, wondering what words to use. I was transported back to one of my favorite childhood movies, My Girl. Many of the same feelings here. MANY. I did love this story, and I will be sharing it with those students that love emotional stories.

A Beginner's Guide to Immortality: From Alchemy to Avatars by Maria Birmingham, illustrated by Josh Holinaty

Owlkids Books, 2015

Nonfiction

Recommended for grades 3+

A fun read on the human quest for living longer. From the wild and fantastic, to the scientific breakthroughs being worked on today. Fascinating information and short sections of text surrounded by lively illustrations will attract readers to this one!

Freedom Over Me: Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life by Ashley Bryan

Atheneum Books, 2016

Poetry

56 pages

Recommended for grades 3+

Such a gorgeous book in words and images. The author's note and original document in the back of the book are powerful. The artistry in creating two contrasting types of poetry and imagery for each featured slave is well executed. From grays and earth tones on pages that describe the jobs and roles of the slaves, to a rainbow of vibrant hues when the poem changes to the dreams of the slave. 

A book I will surely be sharing with students for years to come.

I'm Currently Reading:

Currently Reading Aloud to My Class:

Thanks for stopping by!